MP decries forceful eviction of `machinga`

By Judica Tarimo

14th April 2011

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Mpanda-Urban legislator Said Arfi yesterday urged the government to halt forceful eviction of petty traders, commonly known as 'machinga', from unauthorized areas before allocating them alternative sites for doing their business.

In a supplementary question in Parliament, the lawmaker said government operations to evict the traders in different parts of the country had caused some families many problems.

Answering the question, minister in charge of Regional Administration and Local Governments George Mkuchika said the government was ready to support the petty traders, but they should follow laid down laws and regulations for conducting their business.

He explained that the laws of the land stipulated clearly that the traders could not just be let to operate anywhere, insisting that they must abide by the existing rules.

Mkuchika said the government had embarked on long-term and comprehensive initiatives aimed at providing the petty traders with permanent premises for doing their business, citing an ongoing project to put up buildings known as 'machinga complexes'.

In his basic question, Shinyanga-Urban MP Stephen Masele (CCM) had wanted to know government plans to ensure effective implementation of President Jakaya Kikwete’s promises to set up a business complex for petty traders.

In his response, deputy minister for regional administration and local government Aggrey Mwanri said that all pledges made by President Kikwete would be implemented.

He informed the House that a proposal for the construction of ‘machingas’ complex in Shinyanga had already been presented to potential investors, including the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Mwanri also informed that a private investor from Bariadi had also submitted a draft investment document for the construction of a similar complex in the district at a cost of 300m/-.